Among the differences between the Titans-Texans matchup now versus when they played in Week 2, one key change was revealed Friday: Tennessee should have its starting quarterback.

Marcus Mariota was a full participant at Friday’s practice after being limited the previous two days. The Titans quarterback, who suffered a stinger in a loss to the Colts on Sunday, is on pace to start against the Texans in Houston on “Monday Night Football” (7:15 p.m. CT, ESPN/ABC), Titans coach Mike Vrabel said.

“To be honest with you, I couldn’t really tell that anything was wrong. He looked good to me," Titans offensive coordinator Matt LaFleur said. “He was full-go, took all the reps and he’s ready to roll.”

Mariota absorbed a big hit from Colts defensive lineman Tyquan Lewis in the first half Sunday. The resulting stinger — a nerve injury that causes pain and numbness from the neck down one arm — forced him to take a backseat at Wednesday’s full practice.

"He felt better (Friday),” Vrabel said. “He looked good.”

Mariota did not play the first time the Titans played the Texans this season, instead watching from the sideline on Sept. 16 as he dealt with an ulnar nerve injury he suffered in Week 1.

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Marcus Mariota's injury has some fans asking if the Titans quarterback is fragile or if he's just that unprotected?
Nashville Tennessean

Is there more Mariota can do to avoid taking hits?

“Yeah, definitely,” Mariota said Wednesday. “I’ve got to do a better job helping those guys up front, whether it’s moving around and throwing the ball away or attacking the line of scrimmage and just getting positive yards.”

The fourth-year quarterback is being sacked at a higher rate this season than any previous one in his career. He’s been sacked 29 times in nine games, or 3.22 times per game. That’s slightly more than the 3.17 times per game he was being sacked as a rookie in 2015.

One instance stuck out against the Colts. On the Titans’ first drive, Mariota led the offense past midfield and into field goal range. But an eight-yard sack pushed the Titans from the Colts' 34-yard-line back to their 42, and out of field goal range. LaFleur said with Indy pressuring with six defenders on the play, the Titans' pass protection collapsed quickly.

Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) is slow to get up as he's observed by team personnel in the second quarter at Lucas Oil Stadium Sunday, Nov. 18, 2018, in Indianapolis, Ind. George Walker IV / Tennessean.com

An injured Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) stands on the sidelines in the third quarter against the Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium Sunday, Nov. 18, 2018, in Indianapolis, Ind. George Walker IV / Tennessean.com

Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) scrambles out of the pocket in the first quarter against the Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium Sunday, Nov. 18, 2018, in Indianapolis, Ind. George Walker IV / Tennessean.com

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"We always talk about having a quick throw built in, where if you feel the pressure, where am I going with the football?" LaFluer said. "And that was one of those circumstances where he thought he was protected and he was getting to the guy in the flat that was open but it was not within the timing of the play.

"It’s totally case by case. I think there’s certainly things that I can do and control as a play caller to help those situations."

Reach Erik Bacharach at ebacharach@tennessean.com and on Twitter @ErikBacharach.